Published: Thursday 3 June 2021
Plans to deliver 600 new council-owned homes in Kensington and Chelsea are a step closer to becoming reality after building work began on two sites in the borough.
Construction is now underway on 37 homes and community and commercial space adjacent to Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church on Kensal Road, with an additional 20 homes being built on Hewer Street opposite St Charles’ Hospital.
The Council has appointed Willmott Dixon to complete the schemes, which were designed following public consultations and are expected to be ready for residents in late 2022 or early 2023.
The developments are part of the Council’s New Homes Delivery Programme to build 600 homes – at least 300 at social rent – on Council-owned land in a small, densely-packed borough which currently has more than 3,500 people on its housing waiting list and 2,300 people in temporary accommodation.
Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Housing, said:
“Seeing the first spades in the ground at these sites is an exciting moment in our mission to provide much-needed good-quality homes across our borough, including at least 300 at social rent.
“There’s no single, simple solution to London’s housing crisis and that’s why we have committed to reduce the number of empty homes, push developers to provide more social housing and develop a policy to provide affordable housing for key workers.”
Roger Forsdyke, managing director for Willmott Dixon’s London & South region, said:
“We are delighted to be working with Kensington and Chelsea Council on their bold New Homes Delivery Programme, creating much needed homes for local residents and providing a minimum of half for social rent.
“We have a proud history of delivering housing for local authorities across London, through our specialist local supply chain and social value programmes, we are looking forward to the opportunity to generate local prosperity within the community."
Kensal Road and Hewer Street form part of phase one of the Council’s New Homes Delivery Programme, which will deliver 97 of the 600 homes and is being jointly funded by the Council and a grant from the Greater London Authority.
All of the properties will remain in Council ownership and be offered as a mixture of social, intermediate and open market rent.
Consultation on potential sites for phase two of the programme is currently underway and you can view details on our website.